Summary:
- In a press statement, Akifeza alleged that her victory was undermined by significant electoral malpractice, including interference by senior NRM leaders, intimidation of her agents, inflation of voter numbers, tampering with results, failure to adhere to the party register, voter bribery, and bias among electoral staff.
KISORO: Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, the National Resistance Movement candidate who lost in the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament by-election, is facing intense pressure from her supporters to file a legal challenge against the election process and results.
This follows the announcement by Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairman of the NRM Electoral Commission, declaring Akifeza as the runner-up in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries for the Kisoro District Woman MP by-election. Akifeza secured 39,197 votes, while her opponent, Rose Kabagyeni, garnered 39,941 votes, earning the NRM flag for the general election.
The results were announced at 11:00 p.m. on Friday at the Rukiiko Hall in Kisoro District.
In a press statement, Akifeza alleged that her victory was undermined by significant electoral malpractice, including interference by senior NRM leaders, intimidation of her agents, inflation of voter numbers, tampering with results, failure to adhere to the party register, voter bribery, and bias among electoral staff. She also highlighted external and sectarian influences on the election outcome.
Akifeza claimed that NRM electoral regulations and guidelines were not followed, adding that officials were not recruited in accordance with party standards.
She stated that her complaints raised during the tallying process were inadequately addressed, with the Electoral Commission proceeding to announce results before fully resolving her concerns matters that she believes could have shifted the results in her favor.
Akifeza noted that the election has left her supporters disillusioned and frustrated, eroding confidence in the party’s internal democracy and threatening unity in a district where the NRM has historically enjoyed strong support.
She is calling for the Kisoro Woman MP by-election to be declared null and void, with a re-run in selected polling centers where, she asserts, clear election malpractices occurred.
She also demands a meeting with electoral and party leadership to personally present her grievances regarding the electoral process and plans to file a court case challenging the results.
In addition, she expressed her intention to contest as an independent candidate in the November 14 general elections. Despite her dissatisfaction, Akifeza thanked the people of Kisoro who overwhelmingly supported her, stating that their visible victory was “stolen by unpatriotic elements.”
Akifeza remains hopeful that the party’s internal conflict-resolution mechanisms will address her concerns for the sake of unity within the NRM.
